1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 65: Frozen Warning

The next morning in Dendemille Town began with windmill shadows moving across the road like slow clock hands. Serena still carried her new Princess Key case close to her bag, and every time the sunlight caught the key inside, her smile returned in a quiet way that made yesterday's Showcase feel real all over again.

We were getting ready to leave town when I noticed Professor Sycamore and Dexio standing near the Pokémon Center entrance. Sycamore waved with his usual bright smile, while Dexio held a small tablet against his chest and looked like he had been trying to keep the professor on schedule.

Sycamore greeted us warmly. "Why hello, everyone. I see Dendemille has treated you well."

Dexio smiled too. "How have you all been? How is your journey going?"

David answered first because he had been organizing supplies beside us. "It has been great, thanks for asking. Dendemille gave us a Contest victory and a Showcase victory back to back."

Serena blushed a little but did not hide her pride. "Ash earned his fifth ribbon, and I earned my first Princess Key."

Sycamore clapped his hands together. "Wonderful. Journeys become unforgettable when each town leaves a different flavor behind."

Dexio lowered his voice. "Professor, please do not start with café research again."

Sycamore ignored the warning with the confidence of someone who had already decided the topic mattered. "When I was younger, I visited many different regions, met many kinds of Pokémon, and learned how each place had its own distinct taste. Because of that, I became something of an expert on cafés all over Kalos."

Clemont blinked twice. "That is an impressive specialty, though I am not sure how it connects to us leaving town."

Sycamore smiled and lifted one finger. "Come now, Clemont. I am going somewhere with this. Do you remember the Pokémon Lysandre mentioned at the café?"

My mood shifted at once. "Xerneas and Yveltal."

Dexio nodded, his expression becoming serious. "The professor has been comparing old writings about them."

Sycamore opened a notebook filled with sketches of branching antlers and dark wings. "According to material I have read, those who saw them were so overwhelmed by their power that they could only say these Pokémon resembled the letters X and Y. Xerneas is said to control life energy, giving vitality back to plants and Pokémon. Yveltal is said to absorb life energy, and when its thousand-year lifespan ends, it steals the spirits around it before sleeping again."

Bonnie held Dedenne closer. "That sounds scary, but also sad."

I looked at the Poké Ball that held Yveltal and felt the strange weight of having already met the legend behind the story. "Legends always sound different when the Pokémon becomes someone you know."

Sycamore studied me carefully. "The writings also say that when Kalos's Legendary Pokémon loses all of its vitality, it sleeps in a secret place. The texts are about a thousand years old, so they are not much help with where that place might be."

I took a slow breath. "Professor, Xerneas is asleep in Allearth Forest right now, and Yveltal is by my side."

Both Sycamore and Dexio stared at me. For once, even Sycamore seemed to lose his words.

Dexio recovered first. "You caught Yveltal? That is absolutely astounding."

Sycamore's surprise softened into thoughtful respect. "I am glad you shared this with me, Ash. Still, your journey is yours and your Pokémon's alone. I want you to enjoy yourself and do whatever you believe is right with the bonds you have formed."